JP2006333321A - System including electronic apparatus comprising multiple interfaces and host device, information processor, electronic apparatus, set-up method thereof, control method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent apparatuses from being relocated with a communication defect by installing the apparatuses while taking a communication status into account in a timing when a user performs set-up of a printer. <P>SOLUTION: When installing a printer driver by cable-wiring a printer to a PC, setting of a wireless LAN is performed through cable-wiring. A message of installing the printer in the arrangement for practical use is displayed to the user and the printer is installed in the arrangement for practical use. After the printer is installed, statuses of radio communications between an access point and the printer and between the PC and the printer are measured to determine whether the arrangement is suitable for the installation place. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus having a plurality of interfaces and a host apparatus, an information processing apparatus, an electronic apparatus, and a setup method, a control method, and a program thereof.

  In recent years, there are printers and printer adapters having a wireless interface. As an example, there is a printer that can perform wireless printing from a PC (personal computer) via a wireless LAN access point (hereinafter referred to as AP) and router corresponding to the 802.11bg / a standard standardized by IEEE.

  In order to install these printers, specialized knowledge is required, and there is an increasing demand for simple and easy handling.

  The wireless interface is affected by the distance between the AP and the device, obstacles between them, the antenna characteristics (directivity, sensitivity, etc.) of the device, radio wave intensity, etc. Change. Of course, if there are many factors that cause adverse conditions due to wireless communication such as the location of the device being far from the AP, the communication will be adversely affected. As a result, the normal operation of the device is hindered. For this reason, the utility software program for measuring the radio wave state of the wireless LAN connection interface mounted on the PC and the radio wave state of the measurement target child device as in Patent Document 1 are displayed on the master unit. There is a system.

  The setup of a conventional wireless LAN device is difficult because device settings for realizing a desired wireless LAN connection are complicated, and technical knowledge about the wireless LAN and the network is often required.

  In the setup method in which the setup of the wireless LAN is performed using the wireless LAN interface, it is necessary to change the wireless operation mode, the connection ID (SSID), etc. according to the setup target device in the wireless LAN communication setting of the PC. For this reason, there is a problem in that setup may not be possible unless the wireless LAN setting of a PC that has been able to perform wireless communication normally at home is destroyed. Further, when connecting the device to the AP, there is an inconvenience that the user needs to remember the SSID of the corresponding AP and input and set it. In order to solve these problems, a setup method is considered in which a wireless LAN is set up using an interface other than the wireless LAN interface. For example, a setup method in which a printer and a PC are connected via a USB interface and wireless LAN setting on the printer side is performed from the PC via USB has also appeared.

In this case, in order for the user to prepare the printer for normal use, 1) it is necessary to temporarily install the printer within a range where it can be connected from the PC with a USB cable in order to perform setup. 2) Next, connect the printer and PC with a USB cable and execute the setup program. 3) As a result, after the printer is connected to the network and the setup program is normally completed, the USB cable is disconnected, and the printer is installed in the place where the printer is originally intended to be used. It is necessary to follow this flow.
JP 2002-261676 A

  As described above, in the setup method using the wired interface, when installing the printer after the setup, the setup may be performed without much consideration of the wireless LAN or network communication status. Therefore, even if the communication state is good when the printer is temporarily installed, the communication state of the printer may be deteriorated at the place where the printer is installed. For example, there may be a case where the communication status deteriorates due to a change in the positional relationship between the printer and the AP, the AP and the client PC after the installation, or the network connection configuration, and printing cannot be performed with a predetermined performance (printing speed). In some cases, even normal printing cannot be performed.

  As a result, the user wastes paper and ink due to poor printing. In addition, the installation position of the once installed printer must be re-examined and re-arranged so that printing can be performed normally with a predetermined performance, which is inconvenient.

  The communication performance between the client PC and the printer, which is an index for measuring the printing performance, is determined not only by the radio wave condition between the printer and the AP but also by the entire communication path including the client PC and the AP. Even if the radio wave condition between the printer and the AP is good, if the network path between the client PC and the printer is bad, the entire path must be improved. Also, in order to check the network communication quality required for the printer, it is necessary to check the communication at the amount of data transferred and the transfer speed at the time of printing, and checking by actually printing will lead to a lot of wasted paper and ink. .

  It is an object of the present invention to prevent a device from being rearranged due to a communication failure by allowing a user to set up a device in consideration of a communication state at the timing of setting up a device. To do.

  The present invention provides a system having a first interface capable of device setting, an electronic device having a second interface communicable with the device, and a host device, when installing a device driver in the host device. Execution means for executing a device setting procedure for communication via the second interface using the first interface, and after the device setting using the first interface, the second interface There is provided a system comprising: a measurement unit that measures a communication state via the communication unit; and a determination unit that performs determination on at least an installation location of the electronic device based on the measurement result of the measurement unit.

  In addition, when installing a device driver for a desired electronic device in an information processing apparatus having a first interface capable of device setting and a second interface capable of communicating with the device, the first interface And executing means for executing a device setting procedure for communication via the second interface, and after the device setting using the first interface, the communication state via the second interface There is provided an information processing apparatus comprising: a determination unit that determines whether the electronic device is installed; and a determination unit that determines at least the installation location of the electronic device based on a determination result by the determination unit.

  Further, in an electronic device having a first interface capable of device setting and a second interface capable of communicating with the device, the first driver is installed when installing a device driver for the electronic device in an information processing apparatus. Using the interface, the information processing apparatus executes a device setting procedure for communication with the electronic device via the second interface, and after the device setting using the first interface Measuring means for measuring a communication state via the second interface; and notifying means for notifying the information processing apparatus of the measurement result so that the information processing apparatus can determine a setting location of the electronic device; An electronic device characterized by comprising:

  In addition, a setup method in the system or information processing apparatus and a control method of the electronic device are provided.

  In addition, a program in the information processing apparatus or the electronic device is provided.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent equipment from being rearranged due to poor communication by allowing the user to set up the device in consideration of the communication state at the timing of setting up the device, and the convenience is improved. To do.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of the present embodiment. In the figure, the notebook PC 1-1 has a USB (Universal Serial Bus) 1-5 as a wired local interface. Also, a PCMCIA card type wireless LAN card 1-4 compliant with, for example, IEEE 802.11 can be mounted as a wireless interface. The printer 1-2 also includes both a wired local interface and a wireless interface, like the PC. The wired local interface 1-5 can be connected to a PC with a cable. As a wireless interface, a PCMCIA card type wireless LAN card 1-4 compliant with, for example, IEEE 802.11 is installed. An access point (hereinafter referred to as AP) 1-3 is an access point of a wireless interface and plays a role of mediation between wireless devices. A PCMCIA card type wireless LAN card 1-4 can be mounted.

  It is also possible to perform printing between the PC and the printer using the USB 1-5 which is a wired local interface. It is also possible to send print data to the printer 1-2 via the AP 1-3 using a wireless LAN interface. Although only one PC is shown in the figure, a plurality of PCs can be connected to one AP, and one printer can be shared by a plurality of PCs for printing.

  The wireless LAN has a mode that can be connected to a plurality of wireless LAN devices via an AP, and is called an infrastructure mode. In the infrastructure mode, a LAN can be configured via the AP by setting the same ID as an ID (SSID: Service Set Identifier), which is a network identifier set in the AP, in the wireless LAN device. When using a printer using wireless LAN communication, it is necessary to make settings so that the printer can connect to the AP.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the wireless LAN setting between the PC 1-1 and the AP 1-2 has already been made and communication is possible in the infrastructure mode. As for the printer 1-2, it is assumed that the wireless LAN has not been set yet, and the ID is not set in the infrastructure mode as an initial state. Printers that are not equipped with a wireless LAN are mainly connected to a PC via USB for printing. The printer 1-2 can also print through the USB in the same manner as a normal printer. In the PC 1-1, some OS (operation system) is operating, and printing software (printer driver) is required to perform printing in the OS environment. The printer driver is provided from the OS manufacturer or printer manufacturer and is preinstalled in the PC, or is provided by a storage medium such as a CD-ROM. In order to print with a printer, it is necessary to install a printer driver in the PC in some form. Furthermore, when printing is performed using a wireless LAN, it is necessary to set the wireless LAN for the printer so that it can be connected to the AP. Furthermore, it is necessary to install software that enables printing via a wireless LAN on a PC and make settings suitable for the printer.

  Various methods are used for installing the wireless LAN device. In a setup method for setting up a wireless LAN using a wireless LAN interface, it is necessary to change the wireless operation mode, the connection ID (SSID), etc. according to the wireless LAN communication setting of the PC according to the setup target device. This change has the disadvantage that setup cannot be performed unless the wireless LAN setting of the PC that has been able to perform normal wireless communication is changed once. Further, when connecting the device to the AP, there is an inconvenience that the user needs to remember the SSID of the AP and input and set it.

  In order to solve these problems, a setup method is considered when a wireless LAN is set up using an interface other than a wireless LAN interface that is easy to prepare for operation. For example, a setup method in which a printer and an AP are connected by a wired LAN interface to set up a wireless LAN has appeared. However, in this case, there is a possibility that the connection state and settings of the AP already used in the home may be changed for setup by connecting the printer and the AP. In that case, it is difficult and time-consuming to return to the original state. In this case, since the PC and the printer for performing the setting operation are still connected via the wireless LAN, there remains a problem that it is difficult to check whether the connection is correct.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, the wireless LAN is installed using the USB 1-5 as shown in the configuration 1-6 in FIG. In the printer 1-2 having the wireless LAN interface and the USB, the PC and the printer are connected by the USB similarly to the installation of the USB printer. The wireless LAN can be installed without changing the connection after installing the printer driver. The wireless LAN setting of the printer 1-2 is performed by USB communication between the PC 1-1 and the printer 1-2. Therefore, the wireless LAN setting of the printer 1-2 can be performed without changing the wireless LAN setting or physical connection of the PC or AP that has already been set for normal communication. A configuration after the wireless LAN setting of the printer 1-2 is completed and communication becomes possible is shown in 1-7 of FIG. In the configuration 1-7 in FIG. 1, the USB cable 1-5 between the PC 1-1 and the printer 1-2 is disconnected, and the printer 1-2 is installed at a location away from the PC 1-1, and the AP1- It is possible to perform printing by communication via 3.

  Hereinafter, after describing installation of a general printer driver, installation of a printer driver using USB and installation of a wireless LAN using USB in this embodiment will be described.

<General printer driver installation>
To enable printing by connecting a printer to the host computer (PC), understand the print command from the print application on the OS of the PC, and transfer the print control command and print data based on the print command to the printer. However, software for controlling the printer is required. The software for controlling the printer is the printer driver described above.

  As represented by a printer driver, all hardware connected to the PC is controlled by a mechanism for receiving a control command from an application via a device driver. Since the device driver is not dedicated to a specific upper application running on the OS, the device driver occupies a specific memory area as a kind of resident program while the device is connected to the PC.

  A recent OS represented by Windows (registered trademark) has a plug-and-play function that automatically incorporates an appropriate device driver corresponding to a device when the device is connected to a PC. When plug-and-play processing is performed when a device is connected to a PC for the first time, if there is no optimal device driver provided by the OS, media such as a floppy disk or CD-ROM is available when the device is purchased. It is necessary to incorporate the device driver attached to the OS into the OS. This device driver installation operation is referred to as driver installation operation.

  A device driver installation process in an OS compatible with plug and play will be described below.

  A typical plug-and-play wired interface is USB. Here, an explanation will be given by taking as an example the installation of a printer driver using USB. FIG. 2 shows a message screen displayed on the PC, and FIG. 3 shows a sequence flow of the PC. Note that the sequence flow or message is only when plug and play is performed normally. Needless to say, there is a separate error sequence when plug and play fails.

  First, a user connects a printer to a PC using a USB that is a plug-and-play compatible interface. The OS running on the PC detects that the device is connected to the PC via the USB interface (step S300 in FIG. 3). At this time, a screen such as 2-1 in FIG. 2 is displayed. If the user wants to install, the user presses the “Install” button 2-2. On the other hand, if it is not desired to install the printer driver, the “Cancel” button 2-3 is pressed. When the button 2-2 is pressed, the OS reads a device descriptor, which is basic information of the USB device, from the printer by a predetermined method determined by USB (step S301). The device descriptor includes basic function information about the device such as device class information indicating the type of device. The OS reads and analyzes the device descriptor, and determines whether the connected device is a device belonging to the printer class, that is, a printer (step S302). If the connected device is a printer, the process proceeds to step S303, and if it is a device other than the printer, the process proceeds to step S310. In step S310, other processing corresponding to the device is performed.

  The device driver configuration of a printer is generally composed of two levels of drivers. One is a port driver as a lower level driver that controls a protocol for performing data communication with the corresponding device on each interface connected to the printer. The second is an upper printer driver that is positioned above the port driver and converts actual print application data into print data or a printer language suitable for each printer. The upper printer driver also acquires an operation state of the printer, that is, status information from the printer and delivers the status information to the printer status display application.

  When the OS recognizes that the connected device is a printer, the OS installs an appropriate port driver using a predetermined method (step S303). At this time, the OS displays a screen as shown in 2-4 of FIG. When the user wants to cancel the installation of the port driver, the user presses the “Cancel” button 2-5. Further, under control of the port driver, a port instance which is a logical connection for performing one-to-one data communication between a specific device detected on the interface and the PC is prepared. In the case of a USB printer, after a port driver for USB printing is installed, a port instance is created as a logical communication path for performing communication between the printer and the PC (step S304).

  When the port driver is loaded and is ready for operation through the initialization process, the OS acquires a class descriptor as detailed information of the printer connected by a predetermined method (step S305). In the case of a USB printer, this is performed by issuing a device ID read command (GET_CAPABILITIES) defined in the USB printer class standard to a printer device via a port driver. The device ID returned by the printer as a response includes information specific to the printer model such as printer manufacturer information, model name, and supported printer language information.

  The OS obtains detailed information of the connected USB printer, and searches for an optimal upper printer driver based on the detailed information (S306). If the corresponding upper printer driver exists within the standard search range of the OS, the upper printer driver found within the standard search range is incorporated. When the corresponding upper printer driver does not exist within the standard search range of the OS, a message for inquiring the storage destination of the driver is displayed to the user. In this case, the user can specify a device driver downloaded from a manufacturer's file server via the Internet, such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk or CD-ROM that is bundled at the time of device purchase, The corresponding upper driver is incorporated into the OS (step S307). When the upper driver is installed, the upper printer driver is copied to a predetermined location (directory) on the PC according to a predetermined procedure.

  Next, an item (entry) related to the device currently installed is added to the database provided as a standard in the OS (step S308). This database stores information such as control setting parameters for each device, driver / device configuration, information on lower-level port drivers associated with device instances, port instance information, and user setting information. In an OS such as Windows (registered trademark) 2000 and Windows (registered trademark) XP, this standard database is generally referred to as a registry, and in this embodiment is also referred to as a registry. An example of the registry displayed in a form that can be recognized by the user is shown in FIG.

  This entry is created for each device that communicates via a port instance created by the OS, that is, for each logical device. In other words, an entry is prepared for each logical connection between the OS and the device, and the corresponding port instance information is stored and associated. For example, when a printer having a plurality of connection interfaces is connected to a PC via each interface, a port instance is created for each interface. Although the upper printer driver used in the same printer is common, an entry is created on the registry for each interface or logical connection.

  As described above, when the preparation for starting the printer driver is completed, a message indicating that the installation is completed is displayed as indicated by 2-6 in FIG. 2 (step S309).

  On a printer list screen of an OS provided with a GUI (Graphical User Interface), a port instance for a certain printer is visually displayed in the form of a printer icon. An example of this is shown in FIG. That is, when a plurality of port instances are created for a certain printer via a plurality of interfaces, a printer icon is displayed for each instance. Information relating to the association between the printer icon and the port instance is also described in the entry created for each port instance. Therefore, information such as which printer icon each port instance is visually represented by is also managed.

  As described above, the installation process of the device driver in the OS corresponding to Plug and Play has been described by taking the USB printer as an example. Of course, the device driver may be installed by a different method depending on the type of OS, but the plug-and-play device is installed in a sequence similar to the procedure described in general.

<Printer driver installation of this embodiment>
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed in the printer driver installation process using the USB according to the present embodiment. This screen example is displayed on the screen of the PC 1-1 when the printer driver is installed in the PC 1-1 in order to perform printing with the printer 1-2 in FIG.

  The screen 6-1 is displayed as the first screen. This screen 6-1 is a printer driver / installation start screen, and is displayed when the user activates the installation software. On the screen 6-1, there are selection icons 6-2 and 6-3 for selecting “execute” and “cancel”, respectively, which can be selected with a pointing device such as a mouse. When “execute” 6-2 is selected, installation is started and the next screen 6-4 is displayed. When “Cancel” 6-3 is selected, the printer driver is not installed and the process is terminated.

  On the screen 6-4, an instruction to connect the USB interface is displayed to the user. The user connects the USB cable 1-5 to the USB interface of the printer 1-2 according to the instruction. When the printer 1-2 is not turned on, the user turns on the printer 1-2. Also on the screen 6-4, the installation can be canceled by "Cancel" 6-5.

  When the USB cable 1-5 is connected and the printer 1-2 is turned on, installation of the printer driver and internal setting of the printer 1-2 are completed by plug and play. Installation of the printer driver by plug and play is performed according to the procedure described above.

  If the installation is successful, a screen 6-6 is displayed to complete the installation, and the software is terminated by selecting “OK” 6-7. If installation of the printer driver fails for some reason, a screen 6-8 is displayed to inform the user that the installation has failed. As with the screen 6-6, the software is terminated with "OK" 6-9.

  As described above, the printer driver installation using the USB is completed by operating in accordance with the instructions of the screen 6-1 → screen 6-4 → screen 6-6, and the print data is transmitted via the USB interface. Is possible.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating processing executed by the OS of the PC 1-1, and is a flowchart illustrating printer driver installation processing of the present embodiment in which the screen illustrated in FIG. 6 is displayed.

  First, the screen 6-1 shown in FIG. 6 is displayed (step S700). When “execute” 6-2 is selected on the screen 6-1, the process advances to step S701 to copy the printer driver execution file to the system. That is, the location in the system where the printer driver execution file and the information file are arranged is determined by the OS, and the printer driver execution file is copied in accordance with the location. As described above, the OS searches for a suitable printer driver from a predetermined storage location of the printer driver information file, and performs registration and setting work so that it can be used. This process is to copy a file related to the printer driver to a specified location in order to perform this operation correctly.

  Next, the screen 6-4 shown in FIG. 6 is displayed (step S702). After this screen is displayed, it is checked whether a predetermined time has passed (step S703). If the predetermined time has not elapsed, that is, no timeout has occurred, it is checked whether the printer recognition is completed (step S704). This is to confirm whether or not the printer 1-2 has been correctly discovered by plug and play. When the printer 1-2 is correctly found by plug and play, it is assumed that the recognition of the printer is completed.

  If it is determined in step S703 that a timeout has occurred, the fact that installation has failed is displayed on the screen 6-8 (step S707). If the recognition of the printer 1-2 is completed in step S704, the process proceeds to step S705, and printer information is set. In step S706, a screen 6-6 indicating that the installation has been completed normally is displayed. When “OK” 67 is selected on the screen 6-6, the printer driver installation process using the USB is completed.

  Since the printer 1-2 according to the present embodiment has both the USB interface and the wireless LAN interface, the wireless LAN setting (wireless network installation) is continuously performed after the installation of the printer driver is completed.

<Wireless network installation of this embodiment>
In order to explain the effects of the present embodiment more easily, a wireless network installation flow that does not use the present embodiment will be described first.

  FIG. 8 shows a screen display when the wireless LAN is continuously installed after the installation of the printer driver described in FIGS. In the case of installation with only USB, the screen 6-6 in FIG. 6 is completed, but when the wireless LAN is also installed, a screen 8-1 in FIG. 8 is displayed.

  When the screen 8-1 is displayed on the PC and the user selects “OK” 8-2, the process is completed here and the wireless LAN is not installed. When “network installation” 8-3 is selected on the screen 8-1, the network installation is continuously started. Similarly, a printer equipped with a wired LAN interface in addition to USB and a wireless LAN interface displays a screen for selecting either USB, wired LAN, or wireless LAN as the interface that is normally used, and selects an interface other than the wireless LAN. If so, the wireless LAN is not installed.

  When “network installation” 8-3 is selected, an operation for selecting an AP is performed in order to connect to an access point (AP). In order to display a list of APs discovered from the printer using a wireless LAN card attached to the printer, the PC sends an access point search command to the printer via USB. The AP information obtained as a result is acquired from the printer via USB, and a list is displayed on the screen 8-4 based on the acquired content. A screen 8-5 is a portion displaying a list of APs found from the printer. In this example, three access points A, B, and C are found from the printer. In this example, all the APs operating within the radio wave reach range are shown, so that only the ones used by the user are not necessarily displayed. If multiple APs are displayed, the user must select the desired AP he wants to connect to by moving the highlighted line in the screen 8-5.

  When the selected AP is performing encrypted communication, an encryption key for decrypting the encryption can be input to the input field 8-6, and the AP that performs encrypted communication can also be handled. In general, a wireless LAN employs an encryption technique to prevent eavesdropping and data leakage. A typical example is WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy), where the same information called a key for encryption is used for encryption and decryption, and this key is a symmetric algorithm between the encryption side and the decryption side. By setting it, data can be hidden from other devices. When a wireless LAN is used in an encrypted environment, it is necessary to set the same encryption key for the printer. If “Return” 8-7 is selected on the screen 8-4, it is possible to return to the previous screen 8-1. By selecting “Next” 8-8, the AP selected on the screen 8-5 can be designated to proceed to the next. Installation can be canceled with “Cancel” 8-9.

  On the screen 8-4, the user can select and specify the access point currently used, and can prevent erroneous connection to another access point. Next, when it is designated to connect to the printer via the AP designated on the screen 8-4, the designated AP is set to the printer via USB so that the printer can be recognized via the AP. Become.

  In order to check whether the printer is correctly connected, the printer is searched via the wireless LAN. A screen 8-10 is a screen for displaying a list of printers discovered via the AP. The printer search is performed when the printer that has received the printer search command transmitted via the AP from the wireless LAN of the PC returns the response. The PC that has received this response displays the printers that have sent the response as a list on the screen 8-10. The search command is broadcast to all devices on the network. A device that can receive and understand this command (in this case, a specific printer or printer adapter) returns predetermined information for the command to the PC that has transmitted the command. This information includes the name, identification information (ID), address, etc. of the printer, and the PC displays these information. By confirming this display, the user can specify the printer to be connected based on such information.

  On the screen 8-10, a list 8-11 of discovered printers is displayed. In this example, three printers are found and displayed. The printer indicated by highlight can be selected in the same manner as the AP selection. If “Return” 8-12 is selected on the screen 8-10, the screen returns to the previous screen 8-4. If “Next” 8-13 is selected, the connection partner is determined for the printer selected in the list 8-11. I can do it. If “Cancel” 8-14 is selected, the installation can be canceled.

  When “Next” 8-13 is selected on the screen 8-10, a screen 8-15 is displayed, which is a screen for inputting a port name. A port name can be entered in the input field 8-16. The port name is used to distinguish a plurality of printers having the same function (for example, wireless LAN), and WLAN01 is set as an initial value in this case. “WLAN” is an identification name for indicating a wireless LAN printer, and the number “01” represents the final number registered in the system. Numbers are assigned in order to distinguish and handle a plurality of printers having the same function. In general, a printer driver specifies a printer to print by specifying this port name. Also on the screen 8-15, selecting "Return" 8-17 returns to the previous screen 8-10, and selecting "Next" 8-18 determines the port name entered in the input field 8-16. I can do it. If “Cancel” 8-19 is selected, the installation can be canceled. When “Next” 8-18 is selected on the screen 8-15, a screen 8-20 is displayed, which is a screen indicating completion of network installation. There are two options on this screen, and one of an option 8-21 for creating only a wireless LAN printer icon and an option 8-22 for creating both wireless LAN and USB icons are selected. I can do it.

  The item indicated by the black circle “●” is currently selected, and the selection item can be changed by selection with the pointing device. When “OK” 8-23 is selected on the screen 8-20, a printer icon is created according to the content selected from the options 8-21 and 8-22, and the setup program ends. The printer icon is used by the user to confirm, distinguish, or identify a printer that can be currently prepared, and this icon is selected for printing from an application.

  Next, a network installation procedure when this embodiment is used will be described with reference to FIG. 9 showing a screen displayed along with the flow.

  FIG. 9 shows a screen display when the wireless LAN is continuously installed after the installation of the printer driver described in FIGS. In the case of installing only the USB, the screen 6-6 in FIG. 6 is completed, but when the wireless LAN is also installed, a screen 9-1 in FIG. 9 is displayed. In this embodiment, based on the information acquired from the printer in step S705, it is determined whether the connected printer supports only USB or has both USB and wireless LAN. If the printer supports only USB, 6-6 in FIG. 6 is displayed. If the printer has both USB and wireless LAN, the screen 9-1 in FIG. 9 is displayed.

  After the printer driver is installed, when the user selects “Network Install” 9-3 of the wireless LAN interface on the screen 9-1, the network installation is started.

  Thereafter, a procedure for creating a wireless LAN printer port and creating an icon on the screen 9-20 is the same as the procedure from the screen 8-1 to the screen 8-20 described above. , Omit the explanation.

  The screen 9-10 can be omitted. In this case, a command for acquiring the name and ID of the printer connected via USB is sent via USB, the printer information obtained as a result, and a printer search command is sent via the wireless LAN, and the printer obtained as a result of the reply When the installer automatically selects a printer that matches the information, the printer selection step and the screen 9-10 can be omitted.

  Also, the screen 9-15 can be omitted by automatically creating a printer port.

  In this embodiment, “Next” 9-23 is selected on the screen 9-20, and after the printer port and the printer icon are created, the process proceeds to the next screen 9-24. On the screen 9-24, a message 9-25 is displayed to the user. Since this message 9-25 will be used to confirm the communication quality between the PC and the printer via the wireless LAN, remove the USB cable used in the setup from the printer and install it in the place where the printer will actually be used (main installation) Instruct to do so.

  When the user installs the printer 1-2 at a candidate location where the printer 1-2 is actually installed and selects “Next” 9-26, a screen 9-27 is displayed. On the screen 9-27, confirmation of the communication status at the installation location of the printer 1-2 using the wireless LAN interface is started. The communication status is started by first measuring the communication level between the printer 1-2 and the AP 1-3. As a result of measuring the communication level with the AP 1-3 in the printer 1-2, if communication quality of a predetermined level or higher is ensured, data transmission is performed between the PC 1-1 and the printer 1-2, and the PC1- 1 and the communication quality of the entire network between the printer 1-2.

  The progress of the communication measurement is notified to the user by a progress bar 9-28. If it is desired to interrupt the measurement for the convenience of the user, the measurement is terminated by selecting “Cancel” 9-29. The details of the communication measurement will be described later in the description of the flowchart of FIG. 10 showing this procedure.

  When the measurement is completed and the communication status confirmation is completed, the judgment result screen is displayed. The determination screen is displayed as a screen 9-30 or a screen 9-35 according to the determination based on the communication status confirmation. First, when the communication level measurement result between the printer 1-2 and the AP 1-3 is a communication quality equal to or lower than a predetermined level, it is determined that there is a problem with the wireless LAN communication at the installation location, and the screen 9-30. Is displayed. The screen 9-30 displays the communication state 9-31 between the printer 1-2 and the AP 1-3, and in this case, the user is notified that the communication state is not good. At the same time, an instruction is displayed to re-measure after changing the installation location again. The message to be displayed is changed according to the measurement result, and various messages can be considered as shown in FIG. 13 in addition to the screen 9-30.

  After the printer is reinstalled, re-measurement of the communication status can be performed again by selecting “Re-measure” 9-33. In this screen, since the communication state of the entire network between the PC 1-1 and the printer 1-2 is not measured, the result 9-32 is not displayed.

  On the other hand, when the communication level measurement result between the printer 1-2 and the AP 1-3 is a communication quality higher than a predetermined level, it is determined that there is no problem with the wireless LAN communication at the installation location, and the screen 9-35 is displayed. Is displayed. On the screen 9-35, it is displayed that the communication level between the printer 1-2 and the AP 1-3 is good (9-36). In this case, the communication quality of the entire network between the PC 1-1 and the printer 1-2 is also determined, and if it is determined to be below a certain level, a message 9-37 to that effect is displayed. Although the communication level between the printer 1-2 and the AP 1-3 is good, if the communication quality of the entire network is below a certain level, there is a high possibility that the communication quality between the PC 1-1 and the AP 1-3 is poor. . Therefore, an instruction to perform re-measurement may be displayed after changing the installation location of the PC 1-1 and the installation location of the AP 1-3, or the installation location of either the PC 1-1 or the AP 1-3. Moreover, various displays according to the communication quality of the entire network as shown in FIG. 14 may be performed.

  Since the communication measurement is performed again by selecting “Re-measurement” 9-33, 9-38, the user can repeat the measurement many times until the measurement result becomes good. By selecting “Complete” 9-34, 9-39, the setup is completed and the setup program ends.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating in detail the processing described in FIG. 9 executed by the OS of the PC 1-1.

  When “Network installation” 9-3 on the screen 9-1 is selected, the PC 1-1 sends the printer 1-2 to the printer 1-2 via USB in order to display a list of APs discovered from the printer 1-2 on the PC 1-1. To send an access point search command (step S1000). Upon receiving the access point search command, the printer 1-2 searches for an AP and returns information about the found AP to the PC 1-1 via USB. The PC 1-1 acquires AP information from the printer 1-2 via USB and displays it on the screen 9-4.

  The command shown in FIG. 11 is prepared as a command for wireless LAN installation sent from the PC 1-1 to the printer 1-2 via USB. When an access point search command is sent to the printer 1-2, the printer 1-2 uses the wireless LAN module to make settings for the access point search in the wireless LAN module. The wireless LAN module for which the access point search is set transmits an access point search signal. Upon receiving this signal, the AP returns its own access point information (ID, radio wave status, address, channel, encryption status, etc.) to the other party that sent the search signal. As these signals, a ProbeRequest signal and a ProbeResponse signal as a response thereof can be used. Note that the wireless LAN module of the printer 1-2 returns information from the AP that has returned a response to the search signal to the PC 1-1. At this time, the printer 1-2 returns information on all the found APs to the PC 1-1. Alternatively, when receiving the access point search command, the printer 1-2 monitors the beacon signal from the AP. As a result of this monitoring, the information included in the received beacon signal and the measurement result of the beacon signal may be returned to the PC 1-1.

  In step S1001, information regarding the AP to which the PC 1-1 is currently connected is acquired by communicating with the wireless LAN card driver of the PC 1-1. In step S1002, it is checked whether the AP information returned from the printer 1-2 includes an AP that matches the AP to which the PC 1-1 is currently connected. If a matching AP is found, the process proceeds to step S1003. In step S1003, it is checked whether or not the target AP is operating in the encryption mode. When not operating in the encryption mode, step S1004 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S1005, where settings for AP connection are made to the printer 1-2.

  If it is determined in step S1002 that there is no matching AP, or if there is a matching AP, the process proceeds to step S1004 if the encryption key needs to be input. In step S1004, the AP list screen 9-4 is displayed to allow the user to input an encryption key or select an AP. In the screen 9-4, a matching AP is found in step S1002. However, if the encryption key needs to be input, the matching AP may be selected.

  The setting for AP connection in step S1005 is performed by sending the information setting command shown in FIG. 11 to the printer 1-2 via USB based on the AP information found in step S1000. In the information setting command, information necessary for using the AP, such as an AP address and an encryption key, is set in the printer 1-2. In this way, the printer 1-2 can be connected to a specific AP. In step S1006, a printer search is performed using a network command. This uses the network installation command shown in FIG. The printer search command (broadcast) is a printer search command (broadcast) that broadcasts without specifying a partner. The printer search command (address designation) is a printer search command (address designation) for designating and transmitting a specific partner.

  Here, the PC 1-1 transmits a broadcast search command via the AP. This is transmitted on the wireless LAN, and the printer that has received this command from the wireless LAN returns the printer information (ID, name, address, model name, etc.) to the PC 1-1 that sent the command. Since this command is transmitted by broadcast, all printers that can understand this command may reply to this command. The PC 1-1 needs to select the model that it is currently installing from the information sent back from the printer.

  The PC 1-1 acquires printer information of the printer 1-2 via USB in order to specify the printer 1-2 connected via USB from the found printers (step S1007). This is performed by transmitting the information acquisition command shown in FIG. 11 to the printer 1-2 via USB and acquiring the printer information as a response. By comparing the acquired printer information, a printer that matches the printer 1-2 connected via USB is identified from among the printers found via the wireless LAN (step S1008). In step S1009, network information is set and the wireless LAN can be used. The network information indicates information necessary for printing such as the address and name of the printer 1-2.

  Thereafter, processing for performing wireless LAN communication status measurement and communication status determination processing of the printer 1-2 is started. In step S1010, when network information is set in the printer 1-2 as a result of selecting a wireless LAN as a normally used interface, a screen 9-24 is displayed. On the screen 9-24, a message screen for instructing the user to install the printer 1-2 where the USB cable is disconnected and to use the printer 1-2 is displayed (step S1011). If the interface that is being set up is not a wireless LAN interface, or if it is obvious that communication via the wireless LAN cannot be performed at present due to the setup procedure, the subsequent processing is omitted and the setup program ends. .

  In accordance with the message instruction, the user disconnects the USB connection between the PC 1-1 and the printer 1-2, and installs the printer 1-2 at a location where the printer 1-2 is used in a wireless LAN. After installation, when “Next” 9-26 on the screen is selected, the process proceeds to the next process. In order to confirm that the user has moved the printer 1-2, the USB connection between the PC 1-1 and the printer 1-2 is confirmed, and after detecting that it is not connected, the process proceeds to the next process. It is also possible to do.

  In step S1012, communication measurement is started. There are two types of measurement. One is a communication level measurement between the printer 1-2 and the AP 1-3, and the other is a communication level measurement between the PC 1-1 and the printer 1-2. First, measurement of a communication state between both devices by acquiring a communication level between the printer 1-2 and the AP 1-3 is started. The communication level is a value derived by the printer 1-2 through regular communication with the AP 1-3. The PC 1-1 issues a communication level acquisition command, which is one of the network controller control commands of the printer 1-2, to the printer 1-2, and acquires this value by receiving a response from the printer 1-2. Is possible. In this communication level acquisition measurement, the PC 1-1 issues a communication level acquisition command to the printer 1-2 for a predetermined number of times at predetermined intervals. The printer 1-2 measures the communication level (received electric field strength, signal / noise ratio, etc.) when this command is received, and transmits the measurement result to the PC 1-1 as a response. The PC 1-1 calculates the average value WX by obtaining the communication level information included in the response from the printer 1-2 and calculating the average value. When the measurement average value WX obtained by this measurement is less than the predetermined minimum reference measurement value WY, it is determined that the wireless communication state between the printer 1-2 and the AP 1-3 has a significant adverse effect on normal operation ( Step S1013). In this case, it is determined that no further measurement is necessary, and the subsequent measurement is not performed. In step S1018, the screen 9-30 is displayed, the determination based on the measurement result is notified to the user, and the rearrangement of the printer is instructed (9 -31). On the screen 9-30, since the measurement between the PC 1-1 and the printer 1-2 was not performed, the measurement result (9-32) is not displayed.

  The user can perform measurement again after re-installing the printer by selecting “re-measurement” 9-33 (step S1019).

  On the other hand, when the measurement average value WX is larger than the minimum reference measurement value WY, the process proceeds to the next measurement (step S1014). In step S1014, in order to measure the communication performance between the PC 1-1 and the printer 1-2, predetermined data is transmitted from the PC 1-1 by using the payload transfer measurement command, and the corresponding command from the printer 1-2 is transmitted. A response to is received. When the response reception is confirmed, data transmission is repeated for a certain time, and the communication state NX of the number of times the response success packet is received is measured. This makes it possible to determine whether the average time taken per data transfer is good or bad. When the printer 1-2 normally receives the payload transfer measurement command, the printer 1-2 immediately sends a normal reception response to the transmission source without performing any processing on the payload data. Thus, the time from sending the command to receiving the response does not include the data processing time other than the network transmission / reception of the printer 1-2. Therefore, it becomes an index for measuring the data transmission time on a pure network. The command can be sent with a data payload added, and a command with a data payload of the same amount as that sent at the time of actual printing is sent. This makes it possible to perform measurement and determination in line with actual use. The measurement is performed for a certain period of time as described above, but when the communication environment is good and a predetermined number of times are transmitted within the time, and the same number of successful response packets are received, the communication state is judged to be the best, and at that time Then, the measurement process may be immediately terminated. After the measurement is completed, the measurement result NX is determined in step S1015. When the measured value NX is equal to or less than a predetermined determination reference value NY, it is determined that the network communication status between the printer 1-2 and the PC 1-1 is remarkably bad and may adversely affect the operation of the printer. (Step S1015).

  In the case of a printer, there is a difference in recording resolution and performance depending on the type, and the print data amount may be different. In order to perform accurate measurement according to each type, it is also conceivable to change the measurement conditions and perform measurement after changing according to the type. A printer type to be measured is detected by a predetermined method, a measurement payload corresponding to print data determined in advance according to the type is sent, and a determination criterion NY corresponding to the type is also used for determination. Embodiments are also conceivable.

  In addition, when performing communication measurement focusing on communication quality in a wireless LAN environment, an embodiment in which whether or not measurement is possible is determined according to the connection form of the PC to the network. In this case, a means for determining whether or not the PC is equipped with a wireless LAN interface and is communicating with the printer while connected to a predetermined AP is provided. As a result of the determination, measurement between the PC and the printer is performed only when the printer is connected via the wireless LAN interface.

  After performing the two types of communication measurement, the measurement process and the determination process are completed, and a screen 9-35 for notifying the user of the measurement result and the determination is displayed according to the determination. On this screen, a communication measurement result 9-36 between the printer 1-2 and the AP 1-3 is displayed. At the same time, the result 9-37 of the communication level measurement between the PC 1-1 and the printer 1-2 is also displayed.

  As a result of the determination of the measured value NX in step S1015, when it is determined that the network communication status between the printer 1-2 and the PC 1-1 is extremely bad, the network setting and the communication result are improved together with the determination result, for example, to improve the communication status. A notification to review the device configuration is displayed (step S1017). On the other hand, when it is determined that there is no problem in the network state as a result of the determination, only the measurement result is displayed, and a message indicating that the communication status is within the allowable range is displayed (step S1016).

  The user can re-install the printer and perform measurement again to achieve a better communication state. In that case, after re-installing the printer, it is possible to select “re-measurement” 9-38 and start measurement again (step S1019).

  When a good communication measurement result is obtained at the current installation position, the setup program is completed by selecting “Complete” 9-39 (S1020).

  FIG. 11 shows network controller control commands sent to the printer for network installation. There are other commands such as a command for sending print data, a command for setting various printers, and the like, but an example of an install command used in this embodiment is given. Among these commands, the communication level acquisition command is used by the PC to acquire the communication level between the AP and the printer in the communication state measurement processing of this embodiment. These commands are issued via USB or network depending on the situation.

  FIG. 12 shows commands used in this embodiment among commands issued to the network. The data is transmitted to the printer via the wireless LAN. In addition, there are commands for sending print data, commands for setting various printers, etc., but they are omitted here.

  The payload transfer measurement command is a characteristic command in the present embodiment, and is a measurement command issued from the PC to the printer in order to measure the communication state between the PC and the printer. The printer search commands are prepared for all printers and for specific printers, and are used to search for printers on the network. These commands are transferred and returned via a general protocol such as TCP / IP or UDP on the network.

  FIG. 13 shows the criteria for determining the communication level measurement result WX between the printer and the AP, and an example of a notification message to the user on the screen 9-30 or 9-35 corresponding to the value of WX is shown. ing.

  FIG. 14 shows determination criteria for the communication level measurement result NX between the printer and the computer, and shows an example of a notification message to the user on the screen 9-35 according to the value of NX.

  As described above, in a device that prepares communication between a device that communicates with a wireless interface and a client computer via a wired interface and its setup program, both the computer and the device that are connected via the wired interface as setup means of the wireless interface device. After the wireless interface communication settings are completed, the user is instructed to install the device in the actual use location and connection configuration. After this instruction, the communication state between the device and the access point or between the computer and the device is measured and the result is presented, and the installation position is urged to be changed as necessary.

  According to the above embodiment, it is possible to prevent the device from being rearranged due to poor communication by allowing the user to install the main body considering communication performance at the timing of setting up the device communication settings. , Improve convenience.

  In addition, when the radio wave condition of the wireless interface is good, the communication measurement between the computer and the printer using actual transmission of the data amount assumed for printing is also performed, so that it is possible to accurately grasp the communication performance. .

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the embodiment of one invention concerning this invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a screen of a general installation procedure of a printer driver using USB. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a general installation procedure of a printer driver using USB. It is the figure which showed an example of the standard setting database in an operating system. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printer list screen in the operating system. FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a screen of a printer driver installation procedure using USB. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating installation of a printer driver using USB. It is the figure which showed the screen of the conventional installation procedure of the wireless network using USB. It is the figure which showed the screen of the installation procedure of this embodiment of the wireless network using USB. It is the figure which showed the flowchart of the installation in this embodiment of the wireless network using USB. It is the figure which showed the network controller control command. It is the figure which showed the command transmitted / received by a wireless network. It is the figure which showed the criterion of the communication level measurement result WX between a printer and an access point. It is the figure which showed the criterion of the communication level measurement result NX of a printer and a computer.

Explanation of symbols

1-1 Notebook PC
1-2 Printer 1-3 Access Point (AP)
1-4 Wireless LAN card 1-5 USB interface 1-6 Configuration at the time of wireless LAN setting using USB interface 1-7 Configuration after completion of wireless LAN setting

Claims (19)

In a system having a first interface capable of device setting, an electronic device having a second interface capable of communicating with the device, and a host device,
Execution means for executing a device setting procedure for communication via the second interface using the first interface when installing a device driver in a host device;
Measuring means for measuring a communication state via the second interface after the device setting using the first interface;
Based on the measurement result by the measurement unit, a determination unit that performs determination on at least the installation location of the electronic device;
The system characterized by having. In an information processing apparatus having a first interface capable of device setting and a second interface capable of communicating with the device,
Execution means for executing a device setting procedure for communication via the second interface using the first interface when installing a device driver for a desired electronic device;
Determining means for determining a communication state via the second interface after the device setting using the first interface;
Based on a determination result by the determination unit, a determination unit that performs determination regarding at least an installation location of the electronic device;
An information processing apparatus comprising: In an electronic device having a first interface capable of device setting and a second interface capable of communicating with the device,
When installing a device driver for the electronic device in the information processing device, the information processing device uses the first interface to communicate with the electronic device via the second interface. An execution means for executing the setting procedure;
Measuring means for measuring a communication state via the second interface after the device setting using the first interface;
Notifying means for notifying the information processing apparatus of the measurement result so that the information processing apparatus can make a determination on the setting location of the electronic device;
An electronic device comprising: In a system setup method of a system including a first interface capable of device setting, an electronic device having a second interface capable of communicating with the device, and a host device,
An execution step of performing a device setting procedure for communication via the second interface using the first interface when installing a device driver in a host device;
A measurement step of measuring a communication state via the second interface after the device setting using the first interface;
Based on the measurement result in the measurement step, at least a determination step for determining the installation location of the electronic device,
A setup method characterized by comprising: In claim 4,
The measuring step includes measuring a communication state via the second interface after disconnecting the connection through the first interface. In claim 4 or 5,
The connection state between the electronic device and the host device when the device driver is installed is changed, and the communication state of the second interface is measured after the electronic device is installed in the actual use arrangement of the user. A setup method comprising a display step of displaying a message notifying the user to do so. In any of claims 4 to 6,
A setup method comprising: determining means for determining whether or not to execute the device setting procedure according to the electronic device. In claim 7,
The set-up method, wherein the determining unit includes a determining unit that determines whether or not to execute the device setting procedure based on the information on the electronic device acquired through the first interface. In any of claims 4 to 8,
A setup method, wherein the measuring step measures a communication state between the relay device and the electronic device when the host device and the electronic device communicate with each other via the second interface. In any of claims 4 to 9,
A setup method, wherein the measuring step measures a communication state between the host device and the electronic device. In claim 9,
A setup method, comprising: measuring a communication state between the host device and an electronic device according to a communication state between the relay device and the electronic device. In claim 10 or 11,
A measurement method of a communication state between the host device and the electronic device is performed by transmitting a predetermined amount of data from the host device to the electronic device. In claim 10 or 11,
The measurement of the communication state between the host device and the electronic device is performed by transferring measurement data, which is a data amount based on the amount of data transferred from the host device when the electronic device is used from the host device, to the electronic device. A setup method characterized by sending out a plurality of times and using the average response time as a measurement result. In claim 12 or 13,
An identification step of identifying the type of the electronic device;
A setup method comprising: a determination step of determining a data amount to be transmitted from the host device to the electronic device according to an identification result in the identification step. In any of claims 4 to 14,
A setup method, wherein the first interface is a wired communication interface and the second interface is a wireless communication interface. In a peripheral device setup method for an information processing apparatus having a first interface capable of device setting and a second interface capable of communicating with the device,
An execution step of executing a device setting procedure for communication via the second interface using the first interface when installing a device driver for the peripheral device;
A determination step of determining a communication state through the second interface after the device setting using the first interface;
Based on the determination result in the determination step, a determination step for determining at least the installation location of the peripheral device;
A setup method characterized by comprising: In a control method of an electronic device having a first interface capable of device setting and a second interface capable of communicating with the device,
When installing a device driver for the electronic device in the information processing device, the information processing device uses the first interface to communicate with the electronic device via the second interface. An execution process for executing the setting procedure;
A measurement step of measuring a communication state via the second interface after the device setting using the first interface;
A notification step of notifying the information processing apparatus of the measurement result so that the information processing apparatus can make a determination regarding the setting location of the electronic device;
A method for controlling an electronic device, comprising: In a program for an information processing apparatus having a first interface capable of device setting and a second interface capable of communicating with the device to set up a peripheral device,
An execution step of executing a device setting procedure for communication via the second interface using the first interface when installing a device driver for the peripheral device;
A determination step of determining a communication state through the second interface after the device setting using the first interface;
Based on the determination result in the determination step, a determination step for determining at least the installation location of the peripheral device;
The program characterized by having. In a program for controlling an electronic device having a first interface capable of device setting and a second interface capable of communicating with the device,
When installing a device driver for the electronic device in the information processing device, the information processing device uses the first interface to communicate with the electronic device via the second interface. An execution process for executing the setting procedure;
A measurement step of measuring a communication state via the second interface after the device setting using the first interface;
A notification step of notifying the information processing apparatus of the measurement result so that the information processing apparatus can make a determination regarding the setting location of the electronic device;
The program characterized by having.

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